UDA Releases Nomination Petitions Results

DP William Ruto addresses Kenya Kwanza members during the signing of the coalition agreements on Tuesday, April12, 2022..jpg
DP William Ruto addresses Kenya Kwanza members during the signing of the coalition agreements on Tuesday, April12, 2022.
William Ruto

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) says it received a total of 166 complaints from the party primaries held on Thursday, April 14.

UDA's Electoral and Nominations Disputes Committee noted that the complaints were filed by aspirants who expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the nominations that saw 1,031 positions attracts contestants.

The complaints were submitted to the National Elections Board (NEB) which is chaired by, Anthony Mwaura. Out of the 166 petitions, 135 were for Members of County Assembly positions, 25 for Members of Parliament aspirants, 2 Woman Representatives, 2 Senate positions and 2 for governor positions.

A collage image of UDA election materials being burnt in Embu town on April 13, 2022.
A collage image of UDA election materials being burnt in Embu town on April 13, 2022.
File

Of the complaints, 105 were dismissed due to lack of merit, 40 cases were allowed and the committee ordered repeat in the primaries.

9 were referred to the National Elections Board and were subjected to alternative disputes resolution while 6 were withdrawn by the applicants. 6 out of the over 166 filed petitions were overtaken by events.

"As a committee, we applaud all those who believed in the internal dispute resolution mechanism within the UDA party. We are confident that we have discharged our mandate according to the party constitution," stated Emmanuel Mumia, chairperson of the Elections Disputes Resolution Committee (EDRC).

"We note that is a great stride in the intra-party democracy within the party and generally in the country."

The primaries were, however, marred with controversies as some aspirants claimed to have been rigged out. In Naivasha, the dispute committee overturned John Kihagi's win announcing that Jane Kihara had won in the primaries with one vote just a day after the former Legislator was announced the winner.

In another instance, Starehe MP aspirant, Charles Njagua Kanyi, famously known as Jaguar, lost to EALA Member of Parliament, Simon Mbugua, who was issued with the UDA ticket following opinion poll results.

Nandi Hills MP, Alfred Keter, became the latest victim after his win was nullified. The Dispute Resolution Committee nullified Keter's win after his rival Bernard Kitur successfully appealed his case.

Nandi Hills MP Alred Keter during the UDA nominations on April 20, 2022.
Nandi Hills MP Alred Keter during the UDA nominations on April 20, 2022.
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